tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34126797227338742722024-02-18T19:22:50.761-08:00Keeping up with the MillersStories of life from the Miller household.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-67234418071395433842012-12-14T13:31:00.002-08:002012-12-14T13:37:41.489-08:00Today started out as one of those days. Colin had been throwing up last night, and while the circumstances surrounding the act were pretty humorous, it was still a matter of whether he was really sick or if it was another migraine. This morning he awakened still having a slight headache but this time there was a fever and the inevitable morning after puking puke. So, the call goes into the school that he will be absent, effectively ending his perfect attendance streak. Bummer.<br />
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This only becomes more of a bummer when not even 10 minutes later, he is entirely well, feeling great, asking for food. Good grief. He then continues on his feeling better streak, by being his energetic (read, annoying) self. After telling him for the umpteenth time to stop picking at his brother, I complain to Roger how annoying he is being and how annoyed I am that he couldn't go to school today, which is super annoying and now I am annoyed that I am annoyed.<br />
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Christopher, who has his Fridays off, has been hounding me to play the computer, which he gets to do early on because Colin was "sick." Then there's lunch and just the usual daily things. Stop hitting each other, play nice, etc.<br />
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I sit down to Facebook and see what other people are complaining about today and possibly find some responses to my silly status about last night's vomiting episode.<br />
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Instead, what I read is true horror. A school in Connecticut has had the unthinkable happen. 18 dead 5-year-olds and many others in an inexplicable act of violence. I immediately turn on the news and am drawn in to the yet unknown details. It eventually comes out that the shooter was a 24-year-old and the Kindergarten class he attacked was his mother's classroom and her students, as well as several other people within the school. What?? Who does that? It is a horrible, sinking feeling that came over me, thinking about those parents and family members of those lost...in particular those mommies and daddies who no longer have their babies to hug and kiss goodnight, good morning, and just say I love you. Yes, my boys are home with me, I think in quick relief and almost feel guilty.<br />
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The idea of losing my boys cuts directly to my gut and makes me want to lash out and thrash and scream. I don't know how these parents are going to handle this loss, when I am having so much trouble thinking about it and it is only in the "what if" category for me. From the moment I first became pregnant, I have never known the feeling of complete and utter love and joy. Then, the bundle becomes real in my arms and there is no going back to who I was before. Everything is different. Everything. The way that I look at the world and people is different. My priorities are different. It all revolves around this baby. Then the one baby became 2 babies and it all doubles. My heart explodes for these boys. The happy, the sad, the heartbreaking.<br />
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Then years pass, they grow, they gain personality traits that don't always mesh with my own. There are tantrums, messes, frustrations, fatigue, illness, yelling, screaming, crying, and yes, annoyance. Today, I am so happy for having them here to annoy me. They don't understand the magnitude of the strength in my hugs today or the tears in my eyes when I grab them for those hugs. It doesn't matter. What matters is that they are here, now, for me to love, cherish, and hold. I will be sending them off to school on Monday with a little less excitement that I have 5 hours of time while they are otherwise occupied. My prayers for their safety will by multiplied by the hundreds.<br />
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This is a true tragedy and as cliche` as it might seem, it makes me so thankful for what I have. I don't want to take them for granted, ever. Even, and especially, when they are on my last nerves and pushing my buttons. Knowing how blessed I am with these two boys calling me Mommy is a thought that I never, ever, ever want to lose. The "I love you, Mommy" from each of them that I get make it more than worth all the other crap.<br />
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I will be praying for the victims' families and the whole community of Newtown, CT, as well as the entire country. This cuts us deep.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-36784180945374607672010-12-27T19:27:00.000-08:002010-12-27T19:47:42.428-08:00Christmas-no picturesI had every intention of uploading the Christmas pictures (and the others that I have not gotten up yet) but can't find the cord...again. I am pretty sure I brought it with me, but can't find it. I plan on putting them up later. Be on the lookout.<br /><br />In the meantime...<br /><br />We have had a fantastic time! Christmas threw up in Bobby's living room and Santa brought WAY TOO MANY gifts for all three kids. It was CRAZY. Christopher made it about halfway through before deciding he had opened enough and wanted to play with his stuff instead of just opening. Overall, it took a few hours (I lost track of the time) to get all the gifts opened. Colin was super awesome and well behaved. Asking a 5-year-old to be patient while opening gifts can be a ridiculous request, but in this case it was heeded. I was so proud of him!<br /><br />Roger and I were treated very well, too. We got pretty spoiled. Roger was very well-behaved as well.<br /><br />This was just a quick overview but I wanted to let you know that we had such a wonderful and blessed time with family. Those who weren't with us were greatly missed! Oh, and bonus...we had snow!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-38270584205163895742010-12-20T20:33:00.000-08:002010-12-20T20:34:05.406-08:00Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-73878531332109412182010-12-16T08:43:00.000-08:002010-12-16T08:45:12.766-08:00Promises, promises...I have a lot to post about, but it will have to wait. I plan on sitting down for at least a little while during the Christmas break to blog. Just know you have quite a lot of excitement ahead. Lucky you!!!!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-32933155424057794492010-11-25T18:58:00.000-08:002010-11-25T19:07:05.544-08:00The Miller Thanksgiving 2010We had a wonderful day of food, laughs, and joyful interaction with new friends. We were invited (approximately a year ago) to go to Roger's mentor's home for Thanksgiving dinner. They live on a mountain in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Asheville</span>, so we made the drive up to eat. It was such a wonderful time. I was so proud of the boys because they were both so polite and well behaved. I received many compliments about them throughout the day and it brings pure joy to my heart. There was a small group of college age girls there for dinner and they instantly won the boys' hearts. They played hide and seek, tag, got buried in the leaves, and they just had an overall great time with them. It was nice to have some adult time and not worry about them!<br /><br />One major thing was missing for me, besides the obvious family members that I miss so much. Mashed potatoes. I might have to whip up a batch tomorrow because there is something wrong with Thanksgiving and no mashed potatoes. Just saying.<br /><br />This year definitely beats last year's drama of football, broken legs, hospital visits, 10-hour drives, and stress. Oh, and the Cowboys lost today (I love you, Roger!). Great day!<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!!!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-78540748406604361612010-11-17T18:22:00.000-08:002010-11-17T18:41:02.803-08:00Snot, snot, snotty, snot...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">EW</span>. Snot. Disgusting.<br /><br />I HATE snot. I have always hated it. I remember vividly going to Shoppers Food Warehouse once with my parents, brother, and sister, and my brother (who had an uncanny ability to gross even the most stable stomach out) to get groceries. Well, my brother sneezed and a giant glob of you-know-what shot out and landed on his sleeve. I just about vomited all over the floor I was gagging so much. Kids also have the ability to gross me out with their many sneezes and coughs in which giant blobs of green stuff come out and I am forced to wipe it before I throw up on them. When I was pregnant with Colin, I was riding in the backseat of my sister-in-law's SUV with my niece (she was almost 4, I think) and yep, she sneezed, and yep, total <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">disgustingness</span> was all over her face. I couldn't even look at the poor thing without gagging, and Elizabeth had to stop the car so she could wipe her face. I got out of that one because I was pregnant, but it's a hang up that I am forced to deal with, and it never seems to get easier.<br /><br />This time of year (at least in terms of snot) is the bane of my existence. I am sure that the tissue companies just LOVE this time of year and are making bazillions of dollars taking care of the snot that is running like rivers. I wipe noses all day at the preschool, and babies (for those who don't know) HATE having their noses wiped. They turn their head in protest, which just serves the purpose of prolonging the snot wiping session because what was once only at the nose, is now all over the cheek, in the hair, and on the ear. Wonderful. Thanks, Baby.<br /><br />That's why I hate this week. Colin and Christopher both have tons of snot right now and they have lovingly let me in on the game. The main difference is that I don't have to see my own, so it doesn't gross me out to the extent that other people's snot does. Call me judgmental, but my snot isn't gross. I don't like hearing your snot, seeing your snot, and definitely not touching or wiping your snot. I do it out of necessity because vomiting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">every time</span> I see it is not an option. That just gives me more to clean. <br /><br />Anyway, being sick sucks. Snot sucks. Being sick and having snot doubly sucks.<br /><br />Sooooo, who wants to come for dinner?Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-17542380037019112052010-11-10T20:09:00.000-08:002010-11-10T20:37:46.274-08:00Veterans<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirn9meI0HZlfNwt3f6ya9Uw024KVuY3TpkjtefukQYGUjrqsrAV0SZnL2IO-MlZ5jd4NycUITs1soHEeeqz2CFd5a_oiXvZrKivlsPa9cfWsvNHrveYyMTnKcCoLYOdlrAEt-OQZWrY9Gv/s1600/Soldier.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 423px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538146181303750594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirn9meI0HZlfNwt3f6ya9Uw024KVuY3TpkjtefukQYGUjrqsrAV0SZnL2IO-MlZ5jd4NycUITs1soHEeeqz2CFd5a_oiXvZrKivlsPa9cfWsvNHrveYyMTnKcCoLYOdlrAEt-OQZWrY9Gv/s400/Soldier.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I know I have posted before about veterans and their importance in my life, but I am still so in awe of their sacrifice that I feel like I should do it again. And again. And again.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>These men and women have all of my respect--no matter how young or old, they are in it for me and that is truly something special. Here is a list of those that I know directly (I apologize if I leave anyone out. Feel free to call me out on it!). God bless them and let them know that they are appreciated. Always.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Roger Miller (my husband)</div><br /><div>Forrest B. Snyder, Jr. (my dad)</div><br /><div>James Snyder (my brother)</div><br /><div>Ann Snyder (my sister in law)</div><br /><div>Bobby Miller (Roger's brother)</div><br /><div>Michael A. Miller (my late father in law)</div><br /><div>Stephen Previti (my uncle)</div><br /><div>Stephen Marsh (my cousin who is currently in Afghanistan)</div><br /><div>Dan Previti (my cousin)</div><br /><div>Justin McKevitt (my cousin's husband)</div><br /><div>Carole Anne Stephenson (my great friend and running buddy)</div><br /><div>Mark Camblos (my friend's husband)</div><br /><div>Leevi MacDonald (my friend's husband)</div><br /><div>Alex Parker (my friend's husband)</div><br /><div>Timothy Williams (friend from high school)</div><br /><div>George Graham (my grandad)</div><br /><div>James Previti (my grandfather)</div><br /><div>John Steinberger (my friend's father)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thank you.</div><br /><div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-68077218452691881282010-11-07T07:10:00.000-08:002010-11-07T07:20:07.155-08:00Halloweeeeeeen...<div>I have discovered that I dislike Halloween. I dislike it a lot, and I hate that I am such a Halloween Grinch (I coined this term for myself. You may borrow it if you want to.) but I really hate the lead up to the day and all the costumes and decorations bug me. See, Grinch. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I remember in college, people would get all dressed up for Halloween and I always looked at them with such disdain, while secretly talking about them in my head. What about this day made it any different to go to a party, drink lots of alcohol, and eventually wander back home, only to pass out and wake up with a headache, but on this day you were expected to make an ass out of yourself and dress up in a costume. It never did and still doesn't make any sense to me. It's not fun for me to play dress up--I never liked it. I could drink beer whether I was dressed up or not. Grinchy, grinchy, grinch, grinch.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The only reason I even "celebrate" it at all now is because I have two little munchkins who think dressing up in costumes is a blast and their smiles make it worth it. Here are the pictures of my two very cute Halloweeners. Ha ha, I said weeners.</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536827604189891410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GYPqfOh4_4u16nqzkxCnzZx5km8WWfpnxIIorVJtJ6iF4GynH_b-sfzCe1JbfLbjYf-Uk6EPpcuKJiqTVaUjh7fbzxEr3WjfgMA9jNo54yZTYJmOoH_7X-ZA3i91kP4b029-WZEaOymO/s400/October2010+021.JPG" /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-52738910024442788942010-11-07T06:44:00.000-08:002010-11-07T07:09:46.325-08:00Playing catch up...againI don't have too much to report this time. :) <div><br /></div><div>I ran my second half marathon October 24th. It was the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon. It was painful (really painful) but I did it, and managed to beat my previous time by about 16 minutes. My time was 2:12:04. I must have stopped to stretch about 70 times, but I did it. The craziest thing was that even through all the pain, I was able to spend some time hanging out with Carole (or K-roll as she was dubbed by Colin when he was just 2 and couldn't say her name right) afterwards. Roger and the kids were hanging out at home so I got a girl's weekend with a little run thrown in. We had a blast, but I was reminded why drinking all day is no longer a part of my life! I am sure I will run another one, but for now, my body needs time to heal. It's hard for me to sit and wait but it has to be done. Maybe I will just start eating a lot of crappy food instead! :)</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div align="center">This is us directly after our finish...ew.<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536823901335347666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEppACAodLrtOGXVU96b9jEB0pC3seD5ZHw52L3XuR6cjL0g6lnMA3MXoRoU3iP0-LTnMjQuabm8SR6zBwWI-MpoGPLEIyapJJ2V6oM8TrpGiqaYHSWWfAFwygcSBd7xcilNUyynUG4m0/s400/post+race.bmp" /></div><br /><p> </p><p align="center">This is us all dolled up for post race food and drinks. Much better.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536824365473090178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zX9ysaqL4j6l8W1TB49JknfDk9R-cYHChN0YIrLN7fSJ0dTKAAnMjLSsfC55FLo70DQZsHkgCpohaQIauIdCaKPW9rFh8HmRqT_oaEJfanS4aMEZIo2O1X2gnthZSdPRCgUcGBqDp9QR/s400/beautyqueens.bmp" /></p><p> </p><p> </p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-46628528947598477642010-10-11T19:10:00.000-07:002010-10-12T11:02:19.319-07:00Playing Catch UpI have spent my entire evening catching up on 5 months worth of blogs. I made it through two and am starting to feel my eyes cross. I want to apologize to all of you who write them for not being more involved in your daily happenings. In my months long blah blogging attitude, I have neglected you all, and in doing that, have missed out on your lives. I am sorry and look forward to continuing my game of catch up and hopefully in the process, keeping you more involved in my life as well.<br /><br /><br />P.S. Here is a random video of the boys just so that I can post something.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJjCSiOBh7wjHoJ2ANZbA1shYRcJiTTPogr_N_6MTVsZVOUgdzIC5M-6n5XZgZzMGBl3R7UZ0t9DxjjdnBMw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-6499252453084165392010-10-08T15:58:00.000-07:002010-10-08T16:11:44.741-07:00The addition that I didn't think would happen...Well, we did it. I didn't think we would and outright said no at one point, but here we are. Meet the new addition to the family, Buckeye.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525815552558713026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWh32C1iklpTlIgzd51WVG-AVwYTSLpoOtbOoWfEFUdHmbqpx28wQcp82-m2KV49S48RXnypVCNqcX185ETEwLboSlR55qLJLwFOx1MsYoac7hvisahiWbF-SO4WVeaYLHSwAZAJFkTAaU/s400/011.JPG" /><br /><br /><p>Buckeye is a chocolate lab and is going to be a monster. He is six weeks old and as cute as anything you have ever seen. Unfortunately, having a puppy is a ton of work, and the world is his toilet. Thankfully, he spends a lot of time outside with Sophie (who I think would rather not have a little ankle biter after her, but is coming around and will eventually love having him here) and seems to enjoy being out there more than inside. I am happy that the boys have a dog to grow up with them. God put this dog in our laps, so he must really belong with us! If we can get past the not sleeping, pee on the floor, whining, and nibbling, I think this will be a great thing! Pray that this all comes together quickly so that I don't totally lose my mind!!!</p><p>PS. I think it is funny that Christopher can't quite say his name, yet, and lovingly refers to him as Buttguy. Hahahahahahahaha!!!!</p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-52415441604144321472010-10-08T14:56:00.000-07:002010-10-08T15:55:51.043-07:00My latest endeavor...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCTVqqyLZSykLlR4U9IzYLPyLrIGdLlittPRTqITwgdsjYQaIesxz_WaSBx4_eD-hG4wujxI-SmHMlGXqxRhkR15vKW_-4axed6vCb9yknLQHXBPjZcvaQRMDnMYxoBfpc6BftxlS5xrV/s1600/Sept2010+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525798594944696882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCTVqqyLZSykLlR4U9IzYLPyLrIGdLlittPRTqITwgdsjYQaIesxz_WaSBx4_eD-hG4wujxI-SmHMlGXqxRhkR15vKW_-4axed6vCb9yknLQHXBPjZcvaQRMDnMYxoBfpc6BftxlS5xrV/s400/Sept2010+006.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I did it! I finished the Virginia Beach Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon. My official time was 2:29, but according to my friend and training partner Carole's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Garmin</span> watch, it was actually 2:23. Her watch stopped when we stopped, so it's actually more accurate. At least that is what I am telling myself! It was a great accomplishment for me and I am very excited. I am already signed up for my second one at the end of the month in Myrtle Beach--I must be crazy, considering that my recovery took me so long and I walked around like a very old lady with terrible arthritis for at least a week! Oh well, I will rest someday!!!!</div><div> </div><div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525812587059476050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwgTW43OwgKe9Xvm9G3TBZKdGieewc_1SKYLZI5NfGCbMAyTojLCOU1YMX_Ci4rgNtDPunV4R6Vb6vPOBYxu76Zj7DnS6xP9gAoke6FP7cCv2M2cdUcjJD9q9A1Ls1cSAdY-TL6jDxfaS/s400/CaroleandAngrace.jpg" /><br /><div>I also raised almost $500 for T.A.P.S (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) which takes care of fallen soldiers' families. I was honored to be a part of that. I ran in honor of Sgt. Jason Schumann, who was with my brother in Iraq and was killed. I am including a picture of my brother, who also ran the race (much faster than me) and is the reason I know about T.A.P.S in the first place. It's a great organization and if you want more information, you can go to <a href="http://www.taps.org/">http://www.taps.org/</a>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525808700926474018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW_LZgv3oJ07aDHUoTR8dEQ2cv7SxNeSYhGPhha6CC7LAo3pu_rPN6xxj3qhg1ySSV4kdVybBaFgL8t7bibxiUmdaRRJDlYVrdPlLQnugbiOI3565zj1T6wfPBj3eauuIHqXko29wRqvB/s400/Sept2010+008.JPG" /></div><br /><br />Here is a picture of Sgt. Jason Schumann.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525809015215532386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkpjHU_7SL2f_BZiIcsjRvVrvjT7wdL8BGkAVliHqEPm0c6JFd8uKd_Nh0276mwBK-hfyXfhM9irFIDVQRimvuSKBitZnFux7B0IiVd6L3a1tDscojGLwVgcerhrO1jy6FczU2TzJxHvW/s400/236-1soldier052307_standalone_prod_affiliate_2.jpg" /></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-2617773343635416532010-10-05T13:23:00.001-07:002010-10-05T13:53:45.866-07:00Colin's and Christopher's first days of school...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp51lKtOxhmxmu88anLzn-zlBe36oZRAD2Tkh-feXtHl_Q_7m8N84CtlUb5XHV6CCPaX67q0y6R40W4VD9W-Oci1wLZAiP8RqMAStHdtlBY7Nfzz0Qy9Y_zljeRx1_AFPRYxqf1zjcMTD/s1600/SeptOct10+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524666989991120706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp51lKtOxhmxmu88anLzn-zlBe36oZRAD2Tkh-feXtHl_Q_7m8N84CtlUb5XHV6CCPaX67q0y6R40W4VD9W-Oci1wLZAiP8RqMAStHdtlBY7Nfzz0Qy9Y_zljeRx1_AFPRYxqf1zjcMTD/s400/SeptOct10+003.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>And they're off...<br /></div><div>Colin's first day of Kindergarten was August 16<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. It is quite a bit early around here, but no one seems to mind it in the great state of South Carolina that they cut off a month of summer. Oh well, I guess he got an early start on learning how to speak hillbilly...just kidding. Well, sort of. </div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524666158013940706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKB7BvxX2vyfip0xCIUjH1bJUoDd29q6TX__cDe0KNC0wyMfDVYSka8OzNqyzrc2DVDjL1bBamkDgTzj2h-kS1tQsOVY0G05mldFwhUn5RMyfrypRRs0uOzNvsA66h21P19cwIbKXB5Kz/s400/Summer+10+002.JPG" /> <div>His first day went well. He came home telling me how much he loved his teacher and all about it. The next day and the days that followed (for the first 3 weeks) were not so hot. He cried every morning, told me it was boring at school and that he missed me when he was at school (blatant lie because he would proceed to do nothing but give me a hard time when he got home and often told me he wished that I wasn't his mommy anymore), and even claimed to not feel well a couple of mornings. Eventually, he came around and now goes in happily and comes home with lots to tell me. Mostly he tells me about who was on yellow or red, what kind of backpacks and shirts the kids have, or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">everyone's</span> name and carpet number. I think he is fine and doesn't miss me anymore. I am anxious to go to the conference this month to find out how he is doing academically, because he won't (or can't) tell me too much about what he does in school. We'll see if I will have to bring up all of the teacher's spelling errors or not...</div><div></div><br /><div>Christopher started preschool on September 1st. He did great except on the playground. What kid doesn't love the playground? Mrs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">BethAnn</span> said that he was happy until she told them they were going out and he burst into tears and cried the whole time! He did that for a few days and then she learned that bribery works. She told him (and the rest of the class) that they could have a gummy if there were no tears on the playground. Apparently that was all he needed to hear because he has been great since. Also, he changes his superhero identity daily so they never know who he is going to be on the playground that day. If he starts to tear up or get weepy, they just ask him to show them who he is. He gladly obliges and forgets about whatever it was that was making him sad! By far, his favorite part of school is his new backpack, and he proudly shows it to everyone he sees. I love that he is so happy about it!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524664761542585346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQOIrBH8rl0hSMIobJOVYkHxaJi2okT3SHcMbKccjJ2LbnY9pYMsaSRtud5OxUYQ9HQxHV4CXYP_RoIUb8Mdoag-DpNsyZaZiKnILp_J43ksJ-3XOYbTTBFKWsrYdqKnBgRIbftIhIdEE/s400/SeptOct10+001.JPG" /><br /><div>All in all, the start of school has been a smooth transition and we are enjoying it. I will let you know when the redneck accents start appearing and I have to fix their pronunciation of things. That might end up a blog all its own!</div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-77755615859165812582010-08-31T12:46:00.000-07:002010-08-31T12:52:47.235-07:00Very important day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHVmQCIZy9YefSz5Ijlahp6rfWPtchjq8fEdQ4WZZ8BjVQAOrA_fSwfkrbEj9OsD8ak7QTR8pNs4GL17HwhfIeCJ1jlJ3HnHY8Cw9CNdl0XXhx0i1hP9QFiL-1szdBqoo4MJfgrmtu0gG/s1600/Happy+Anniversary.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511663898856708258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHVmQCIZy9YefSz5Ijlahp6rfWPtchjq8fEdQ4WZZ8BjVQAOrA_fSwfkrbEj9OsD8ak7QTR8pNs4GL17HwhfIeCJ1jlJ3HnHY8Cw9CNdl0XXhx0i1hP9QFiL-1szdBqoo4MJfgrmtu0gG/s400/Happy+Anniversary.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">This is not one of the greatest pictures of us, but it's the one we got that night!!!</span><br /><br /><div>Roger and I celebrated our 6th anniversary on August 28! I got a hotel for the night and splurged for a babysitter to stay with the kids. We headed to downtown Greenville on the motorcycle and spent the evening walking around downtown, eating dinner, and eventually heading to Sharkey's pub, where we enjoyed some adult beverages. We haven't been able to do something like this since before getting married because I found out I was pregnant 4 weeks after we got married! It was so nice to be just "us" for the night. We had a fantastic time and I still feel so blessed that God gave this man to me! </div><br /><div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-90418921348029111412010-08-31T10:20:00.000-07:002010-08-31T12:46:43.311-07:00Rundown of 5 months in one post? Let's roll!Yep, I don't want to post too many times, so here is a basic rundown of our spring and summer. Hold on to your hats, ladies and gentleman!<br /><br />1. April--We went to Florida! Disney accepted us with open arms, as did Universal Studios and the Epcot Center. The boys had a ton of fun and even though we couldn't ride the big rides, it was enjoyable to watch the kids' faces <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">every time</span> a character made an appearance. We got to eat lunch with Winnie the Pooh and his friends (who all gave lots of hugs to the kids), and we saw many more!<br /><br />At Universal (or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Universival</span>, as Colin called it), we had the best interaction ever--<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiderman</span>! Colin was in awe, especially because he was wearing his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiderman</span> t-shirt (and so was I, just for the record). Then there was a call for heroes and we watched him run out of the store! What an experience. While at Universal, we saw lots of Dr. Seuss stuff. There is a whole section devoted to him and his zany stories! Colin and Christopher were super excited to meet Thing 1 and Thing 2, to whom Colin proudly announced, "I have your shirt!" Watching their reactions were priceless! I would be posting a picture or two, but crazy Angela has lost the memory card with all of the pictures on it. Oops. So much for those memories! If I find them down the road, I will be sure to post them.<br /><br /><br />2. May--My birthday and Mother's Day were on the same day this year. I got treated like a queen. We went to Concord, NC and visited the Great Wolf Lodge. It was a lot of fun to be away and to hang out with the kids and Roger, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">jeez</span>, it was unexpectedly expensive. It is definitely a trip to take with older children and after some money saving! We had a good time together, though and it meant a lot to be the special one for a whole weekend!<br /><br /><br />Also this month was Colin's 4-year-old graduation. I think it is silly to have a big graduation with gowns and hats, but that is what was done. He was so proud and earned "Most likely to replace Toby McGuire as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiderman</span>" for his class. He sang some super cute songs and there was an adorable <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">slide show</span> put together for the class. Again, no pictures due to that pesky memory card. Bah.<br /><br />3. June--One 5-year-old and one 2-year-old coming up!! We celebrated with the kids and their friends the weekend before their birthdays since both were in the middle of the week. I actually have some pictures of that! We braved the massive thunderstorm that hit right as we set up shop at the park, and the kids ended up having the time of their lives playing in the rain and puddles! It turned out awesome, albeit a little bit wet and windy!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511637173067053858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6A8qXlPPTv7M3DKYHWcbIXm70RaVn5fKmyycDCy2ej6N6S0GyX8zYETztUKnKx2kYw4wGItgWVZqjl6eoPCNtuauNuMVp_hD_pJ3SdiIiShO6sICj6TXcMa4sEegSITiYE0jK5POvgFp/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511655373505843586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Xj3HJGsvIPtFQBzqXGDW5_jVLTytPctC7jAe1j9WPeiRoPZ9ThDw6p5paKKLY3V89BHzFre9YoHWRF5Nm8iNFq7WLYQaD49jxMTq0jT9TqGt6zNIkEsCT1GBI6brkvne4URWqbfq3ihu/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511655904975911042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6vmbHncAIHECbwO_Q_OaoAThLaE_xS4MrFhE6P_gTt6VCoseuVUvFzdpsf7Ox9LfO8AFIe30olgXTWfWdiVFK-XdbogQK863wI5NfzDP1lL6H4PZmYnTjnRNz25VrCQFWdt0MpHfVt5m/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" /><br />On Colin's actual Birthday, we filled him up with Iron Man toys and let him pick dinner. He picked Red Lobster! I guess all my bad mouthing of McDonald's has worked! I have a couple of those pictures, too.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511656296140055138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw-FU3KQvsBYMFvAyo9n9vHc7s6N32cte9BANyPci9hN0bgaePIsQHxElKsS4inhhwn-eJzQ1ZyTvjJk7JRde8Jd9snFlIi_1ywhsZnatG21L3839baidlmVIryCLx-nuFJimuYf7nXrn/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" /><br />Christopher also had an Iron Man kind of day, although those pictures are on the same memory card as the rest that are MIA. (Ugh. This is starting to depress me!) We had another fun day, and I believe we went out for lunch on his day, although my memories are a bit blurry here.<br /><br /><br /><br />On June 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, we headed up to my parents' house to stay for a 3 week long vacation. It was such a blast! We celebrated the boys' birthdays yet again, and were inundated with toys (mostly super loud ones thanks to my lovely family members). They had the time of of their lives! I was able to help mom weed her flower beds (it took us quite a while, but we got it done) and I helped my Grandma prepare for her move to Florida. I got to spend a lot of time with her which is always such a blessing to me. I loved spending so much time with my mom and dad as well...and I even got a little bit spoiled by them. :)<br /><br /><br /><br />During this trip, Roger had a business trip in DC, so he was up for the weekend in the middle and we got to spend an evening in DC while Mom and Dad hung out with the boys for us. We went to Morton's Steak House for dinner, and once we stuffed our eyes back inside our heads after getting the bill, we walked back to the hotel and just relaxed without worrying about what the kids were up to. We still have nightmares about that dinner bill, but we figure we don't do stuff like that, say, EVER so one time will not ruin us! We headed back to my parents' stayed one night, and then drove to Stafford to visit with Roger's family for Father's Day. What an added blessing that they live so close to my parents. We had a wonderful day of water slide and food, some adult beverages and Rock Band, with some b<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">adminton</span> thrown in for kicks. It's always a lot of fun with Bobby, Elizabeth, Danielle, and Sue. There was also the added bonus of Aunt Doris being there that put the cherry on top. It's times like these that we really wish we lived closer to everyone so we could have more weekends like this! After our weekend, Roger drove back down south, and I headed back to my parents house.<br /><br /><br />Colin was also taking swimming lessons during this time, and in 3 weeks, went from non-swimmer to being able to float without assistance (in deep water) and swimming like a fish under water. It was really fun to watch! He had a lot of fun, and Christopher even decided that he wanted to learn to swim...he is an eager kid and wants to do everything that Colin does. He thinks Colin is the bees' knees!<br /><br /><br />4. July--I was deep into training for my half marathon, Roger was deep into studying for his full load of courses, and we were all deep into the summer heat! We had several days over 100, which keeps my "I hate heat" self inside. You would think that this would make me do things around the house, but nope, I just enjoyed my leisure time with the kids. My nephew came down for a week during this month and stayed with us. It is always fun to experience my nieces and nephews on a solo trip. It's cool to get to see more of their personalities that sometimes get overshadowed by their siblings when everyone is around. It is also a special bond for me. Watching them grow up has been amazing!<br /><br /><br /><br />5. August--This month has been spent preparing Colin for Kindergarten and me preparing to kill my body in a 13.1 mile run over Labor Day. Colin had shown anxiety about Kindergarten all through the summer because he was afraid of not knowing anyone. We talked and talked about how great it would be, and finally, right before the meet and greet with his teacher, he decided that he was excited about being a big kid. I found out that his teacher was Mrs. Watson (the same teacher who in the parent orientation told us that we could make learning "funner" for our kids if they don't know they are learning. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that this blatant mistake in speech drives me bananas. I was none too pleased with this teacher selection, but decided to give her a chance. Upon actually meeting her, I found that she is a very nice and seemingly knowledgeable person and Colin seems to like her, too. Unfortunately, at the meet and greet, he had one of his famous headaches and couldn't wow them with his happy, smart, talkative self. I felt so bad for him! He started school on August 16, and cried every morning for the first 2 weeks. He seems to have finally gotten used to it, and has loads to tell me every afternoon!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511657626484456066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnaizInsJsct_cniXjTNZy83vcYyVFlBgP4Zl4RVIhT5ebkT9J59ZEXpSIHSIeHcHgIoD2AbIa5_sDnWv0L1ZmZBVAgliZBa0pbys8o70-I2N0hLmH6KoTOwSaQ5HefEdCA025XbIQv-z/s320/Summer+10+002.JPG" /><br /><br />Christopher is going to preschool! He starts tomorrow for 2 days a week in the 2-year-old room with Ms. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">BethAnn</span>. I had gone back and forth all year about whether or not to send him this year, and when the job thing kept changing, I just decided to not put him in. Well, as soon as Christopher saw that Colin was going, he literally was begging to go to school, too! "Me go school! Me go school, too!" I was so excited to get the call that there was an opening!<br /><br />I am also excited to announce that I will be working at the preschool those two days a week that Christopher goes in. I will be in the baby room! I can't wait to get my hands on those adorable little ones! It will be nice to be in the same place as Christopher, with people that I trust, and also be here for Colin in the mornings and afternoons. God blessed me with this schedule! I will also be able to maintain my training schedule with my clients and will be picking up a couple of new ones in the process. Looks like it will be a busy year for me! Can't wait.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511658228723615970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TzobsiOrKenxbnCMRmK7vbcK318M6BpUiWxavqxpW7dEILp6FD8UBLRzxBrYF0mNoBbcQTUHCDhoAIkD8qZ0vUoMHrxIeKog6pTZT50-OITr7iNkA2TILfzX8yYd8HVNPywqoLS-zUF7/s320/Summer+10+011.JPG" /><br />So this leads me to now...I am supposed to run the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll Half Marathon this weekend with my brother, Jimmy and my friend, Carole (who I have been doing all of my training with). I will have to let you know how that turns out, considering that Hurricane Earl is supposed to hit at the end of the week. Hopefully, I don't blow away!<br /><br />I hope you enjoyed this encapsulated version of the Millers' lives this summer, and I will do my best not to wait so long in the future...it was annoying to try and remember it all.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-47939464092152844962010-08-31T05:25:00.001-07:002010-08-31T05:30:05.248-07:00Months later, but here I am...Well, my hiatus is coming to an end...for now, anyway. I always restart my blogging with a renewed vigor and then it fizzles out on me. This is unfortunate especially considering that our lives don't stop during these breaks. This means that there is always a lot going on and those of you who still read this (or attempt to read my lack of posts) are missing out. I just simply haven't felt like writing. Now that summer's over, I will try to write more. I promise. Maybe.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-44712039600355227912010-04-11T20:22:00.000-07:002010-04-11T20:43:54.837-07:00Work, shmirk...Yep, it's happening. I'm going back to work. Not just 7 hours a week when I see my clients regularly work...real, get up in the morning and go to work, work.<br /><br />This brings on many different emotions for me. Fear (can I still be an effective teacher?), anxiety (what has changed in the last 5 years?), excitement (It will be nice to be with adults and to use my skills again), and, oddly, pride (I was a great teacher to my students!). <br /><br />Mixed emotions doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. Yes, I have been out of teaching for 5 years and I am sure there have been some changes. Not to mention that I will be starting in a totally different state and having to relearn different state methodologies. I will have to get used to a very regularized routine again and will have to do it with two kids in tow rather than just myself. This is probably what brings me the most anxiety. Anyone who knows me knows that I HATE MORNING. Even with all of these doubts, fears, and what ifs, I am feeling overall pretty positive about it.<br /><br />I did some great things with my students. For example, take the 10 year old 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade ESL/non reading student with a learning disability who after 3 months of intensive reading help was reading on a 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> grade level by the time she entered 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade. I hadn't even started with her until January and by the end of 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade, she was doing even better. I also remember a 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade student with emotional disturbance who would shut down and not talk and told me he "f***<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ing</span> hated me" on the first day of school, who was able to be totally mainstreamed into the general ed math class in 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade. Then there is the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grader who was pulling his hair out, literally, and had bald spots due to high anxiety over his home life, who was able to go in the general ed classroom for most of his day by 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade. Then there was Edwin (he passed away while a part of my class in 2002) who till the day he died referred to me as the one who loved him the most. These stories are some of my greatest joys from my days of teaching and those are the things I have missed.<br /><br />Unfortunately teaching was not always fun and games and joys and triumphs. I had run-ins with administrators who didn't see that what I was doing was effective because the test scores didn't reflect that. I was told by one that I was too emotional about my students. I was told I was not doing a good enough job by an assistant principal who had me under a microscope about everything from my wording on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">IEPs</span> (Individualized Education Programs), to my teaching methods, and right down to what I drank my coffee in (she didn't like that I drank out of a mug). Then watching them totally botch Edwin's situation (ask me about it, it's too much for this blog) and treat he and his mother like dirt really pretty much ruined me for teaching back then. I couldn't get past the fact that if all I had to do was be with the kids and work with them the way they truly needed and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">administration</span> and yep, I'll say it, the GOVERNMENT would stay out of my classroom then I would have a lot more of those great stories to share. There were too many rules that they tried to apply to my kids that wanted them to fit into a mold and didn't take into account why they were in my class in the first place. Just plain stupid of them if you ask me. <br /><br />Anyway, I have chosen to get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">re-certified</span> and get back into the grind. I am hoping that my experience will be better this time and hopefully I can make a difference for some kids who need it. Frankly, who need ME. Please pray that God is able to make the best use of these talents of mine to be the best wife, mother, and teacher that I can be and that I don't want to punch too many administrators in the face. That would look bad on my resume, right?Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-78123145589127756442010-02-25T08:17:00.000-08:002010-02-25T08:23:23.838-08:00Who doesn't love puke?Ah, joy of all joys. <br /><br />Christopher is sick. Not just a little sick, but puke all over the foyer and himself, then slip and fall in it, take a bath, go to bed, wake up fine until after breakfast then poop 5 times in 15 minutes and puke all over Mommy 3 times sick. <br /><br />Fun. <br /><br />The poor kid seems so much better after he pukes, but then he wants to eat and his stomach apparently doesn't appreciate that. So, I think I am going to just starve him until whatever this bug is goes away.<br /><br />Maybe if we are really lucky it will make its way through all 4 of us and we can all get to experience it. That would just be awesome. I'll call it family bonding, or the key phrase "quality time." I guess it's time to break the Lysol back out. I don't want that kind of bonding.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-85996649602394206122010-02-25T07:57:00.001-08:002010-02-25T08:11:48.661-08:00Justice<div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCemT01qTkjqqd5roseSTxd_1s7RdLmFna1o2WhHHS8nAWKYEUqvCp3mFUeVsqmVecsrcn5o9XOdU1UCXsmSBzcoidZ7WLQJej_AE_unnS-_XYwAL5r-k-jxjdATehfcePfDtiUQnWpgq/s1600-h/Picture+036.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442212151991891682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCemT01qTkjqqd5roseSTxd_1s7RdLmFna1o2WhHHS8nAWKYEUqvCp3mFUeVsqmVecsrcn5o9XOdU1UCXsmSBzcoidZ7WLQJej_AE_unnS-_XYwAL5r-k-jxjdATehfcePfDtiUQnWpgq/s400/Picture+036.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">Justice </div><div align="center">February 11, 1999-February 18, 2010</div><div align="center">We love you!</div><div> </div><div>For those of you who don't already know, I am sad to tell you that we had to put Justice down last week. He was starting to suffer and his body was completely giving out on him. I will save the details, but suffice it to say it was time. It was by far one of the hardest things I have had to endure, and don't think that I will be buying any new pets in the near future. It's hard enough knowing that Sophie will not be around forever and having to go through the heartwrenching decision again. I stayed with him through it all, and am glad that I did, however much I want to get the vision out of my head. He went very peacefully, but I will never forget the vet saying "He's gone." Much harder than I ever anticipated. Thanks for all of your support and love, Justice was a phenomenal dog and I will be forever grateful for the 6.5 years that he was a part of my life. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442211915639697682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iLnM8UpXHSviwsnlbAVRrAGwSc-IUv3jVIB1lF6IVFTjKBCgYfyTNEqDblPY8FIfytPOS7O7_w1jhK7TBMZRbWDFKWOYawbCeNy30Px3Rcatq8HZOJ_MOfK2L8kJliWPJ_RzVRdnP_pT/s400/Picture+035.jpg" /></div><br /><p>Justice loved being allowed on the bed...I love this picture of him.</p><p> </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442212344016258018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguOdvSOZVLfErNh8tmG3BVspwKJju8vguQmwkuhmAMMzbp_G8daJSjGZNTY_E5bK5n78Aup13GCqP9OyglvLmWq5P4ZqB9VH5WTLjIpyc5EjDstQY_g96_fPQhFmkAgMbMa6Mvaldvi6E/s400/Picture+037.jpg" /></p><p>Justice loved playing with Sophie, his partner in crime.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442212889378585698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vwmVPkXLSDqXoTVq_-dmKUvqS13Z1nOoH1Uo8HaBUIlEM2AEa5gfSOUTm6rPqZy2hBuvMeO6x7Tgtk15tezgOvybIJ9EEnhB2vg7edQVj4HhuM6kl9q859vbkmPJpaFPLzLbYVkR4xgU/s400/1st+Christmas+027.jpg" /></p><p>Sophie will miss her buddy, as will the rest of us.</p><p> </p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-76650651971801380072010-01-30T09:27:00.000-08:002010-01-30T09:34:46.306-08:00Snowing in the CarolinasWell, the weather man actually got it right this time! Our first snow of the winter season arrived last night and is still here! Usually it comes in at about 1/2 an inch and is melted by midday. Not today! Unfortunately, the snow is covered in about a 1/2 inch of ice, but that didn't keep Colin and Christopher from wanting to play in it! I love it when it is white outside! It's beautiful! So here are the pictures of our giant South Carolina snow--aka the blizzard of 2010!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432586675926085202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jeYYXMDEOWQFDcGB7jgbdTpUvkSr8zzlOe2NxiJ0xhRhFnZRTwGWiN3iVag-Qwbkk5AYz1Rre9N408U3SdNgd4QB1CaKp5V0yZpvyVRHjqp_yRzuSgDMN4ffOGiuE6aF6AUz-hpykrH6/s400/January+2010+012.JPG" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432586986446703426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7utbdrGjqs_JErh0McQenYlsqa8TMCIEy3F-3hBs1n6lqePQXm1ujfSR874Enusoupc9TPxWlbHseLHt0003arOtgahuiUmatzB0rQV5t3t9NcOHy8ocqCoQY_uecN2VsEvKZcd5aVk6/s400/January+2010+014.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432587115853503410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoSgp5xAnD1fWAco-xe_ZFio0G9vG6H-xGkwmkWiAZv6iQpXtZVSHYj5G9OMXng-i_DBPLbfytlMAwyeQTDSd6NzCIuLP4wMZrziyH5Cz9GvyBHINXN8Kx6p80zpGl7aJJYWflI_cuQlG/s400/January+2010+016.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432587320940188130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn6oK-7YrjD4eObNtA9RbxBlvgSqsZ-W9XNfXDl_zRIzzkPE-Mf1SDl__4K8eKgiP-qUs5S7ayjgJhyhZI1D59rjBUSAbHhQ8ZX2BDIlr8kVnVvzUwfkkOTD5ObY9nZIocWoB0kPOxouZ/s400/January+2010+025.JPG" />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-22937423316121452622010-01-29T18:30:00.000-08:002010-01-29T19:06:46.345-08:00ChangeI woke up feeling a bit off this morning and had a hard time figuring out what the deal was. Did I just not want to clean like I knew I needed to? Did I not feel like playing referee to the boys today? Was I just anxious for Roger to get home? What was wrong with me?<br /><br />As I was preparing myself to mop the kitchen floor (joy of all joys), I glanced at the calendar and caught the date. January 29<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. I immediately had a flashback to a night in college that changed me forever. After realizing the date, I couldn't get it out of my head, so here I sit, contemplating the date, the event, and the aftermath, even though it was 11 years ago. I guess the memory will always be as vivid as if it were happening again.<br /><br />Many of you know about this occurrence because you were there for it. Not the actual event, but the time before and the time after were part of your lives, too. It was a time of turmoil in my 20-year-old life and I had to figure out who I was and who I could count on. The event didn't wake me up as some might have hoped. I still went back. I even stood up for the guy. A lot. I kept trying to make it all right, to make it seem as though it had changed not only me and my outlook on things, but his, too. Wrong.<br /><br />A switch flipped inside me, although outwardly it may not have seemed like it. I had always sworn that it would never be me, that I would never put up with something like that. And why couldn't people just see that it was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span>, he was sorry? Because he wasn't. Everyone saw it. As much as I hated to admit it, I saw it, too. He didn't change, but I did. I became angrier and less trusting. I shrank into myself and tried to become someone I wasn't, someone he and his family wanted me to be. As hard as I tried, I couldn't be that person, but instead of stopping the charade, I just built up higher walls. I figured this was what was supposed to be for me and my life, so I had to figure out how to make it work.<br /><br />Life doesn't always work out the way that it was planned out in your own head. What you think you know often turns out to be totally false and gets flipped around. Luckily and by the grace of God, the lie was revealed to me a couple of years later when everything that I deep down already knew was going on came to light. He hadn't changed in those years, and we still had times where he was just plain mean, treating me like dirt. Had he not made the decision that he didn't want to do it anymore with me, then who knows where I would have been today? As soon as he left, my eyes were opened and my heart, once broken, seemed to start healing. It wasn't easy at first, but shortly I realized that it was the best thing that could have happened. The realization that I could move on and find real love was uplifting and I felt the real me start to come back. The fiery, competitive, fun-loving me.<br /><br />Fortunately, I was blessed with just that. God gave me Roger and showed me what I wanted in his eyes and heart. He was my prayers' answer. Unfortunately, I brought along a bit of baggage. I still tend to guard myself and have a hard time with trust. If I feel that someone is trying to control me, even if it is something as small as asking a simple question, I buck up against it. Roger is great at reassuring me during these times that it is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span> that I have an opinion, even if it doesn't match his, but that I don't have to yell and scream to get it across or fear some sort of retribution. I just have to be me, as long as I am letting him be him, too.<br /><br />I thought that I was pretty much <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span> with all of these memories, but today I realized that I probably need to release more of the hurt and anger. I'm a work in progress, I guess. Thankfully, it's not a never ending job and I can see the building going up, even as my walls are coming down. Yep, I'm a changed woman, and this time for the better.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-40895140449668485012010-01-21T19:37:00.000-08:002010-01-21T20:24:46.980-08:00Love, hugs, and busted lips?Colin and Christopher have decided that they adore each other. Just this afternoon they were rolling around on the floor giggling and hugging each other. Christopher walks up to Colin and gives him kisses, and Colin tries to make Christopher laugh by tickling and being cuddly with him. Those are the times that parenthood are so joyful and wonderful and I get teary eyed. I love that they love each other so much.<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>Then there are the times when they are playing together upstairs in the bedroom and all goes well until Colin drops Christopher on his head into the footboard and Christopher busts his lip and bleeds everywhere. Oh, and even better when Mommy isn't home and Daddy who can't walk has to crutch his way up the stairs to take care of it. Ah, yes, parenthood. Who doesn't love a fat lip? I know this is just the beginning of the fat lips and black eyes and possible broken noses, so I guess that I will just have to stock up on band aids, Neosporin, and health insurance and enjoy the ride.</div><div> </div><div>Here is a sweet picture of the boys...</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429414417530951474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTNJwweZkInor0J1zbK03S8enZUKUzFxpKoW9C6XEKg8L-HuCC4L8Yae0oBlAlajcY3subFvAfRJ9JmoS9Bn-tyMf46W2KA2v-qpHq8L1e-6dQZw4odMC4s4wqxpeNiLAvmd1VIQjtT8j/s400/115.JPG" /></div></div><br /><p>...and seconds later.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429414751449314786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuGqmpsXph4c_0UvXjKoqp4L7eWSFMlugBaW2Bl8DxT5c5Z_8dgd7r2UjdpoOUvfO_JoTy573ru5TBycgYyjxaAqTGLbhdWrMERx86FNtbrsA7MBcDNOOMq81SlGutJYzSwWLKmzJG_yC/s400/116.JPG" /></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-65824876304958440682010-01-21T19:21:00.000-08:002010-01-21T19:37:29.886-08:00UpdateRoger is doing extremely well in his recovery and healing. His range of motion is far exceeding what the doctor and physical therapists expected. The doctor was very impressed with his own work as well, saying that if it weren't for the screws and plates visible in the x-ray that his bone and joint were perfect! <br /><br />This progress has been a huge sigh of relief for everyone involved, and if I'm being honest, Roger is the most relieved. I am dying to have him totally healed and back to normal, but I think that he wants it even more than me. He has been back to work pretty much full time and is getting less and less tired during the week, even after being on the crutches or in the wheelchair. I am back to my training schedule and it is keeping us pretty busy. <br /><br />Anyway, I thought everyone might appreciate a progress report on the crazy last few months. It's going well and we are so appreciative for all of the continued prayers and love!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-25044883503702235482010-01-01T18:26:00.000-08:002010-01-01T18:49:34.884-08:00Some pictures to join my brain dump from last postThese photos are not in chronological order, but I don't like messing with the pictures on here too much because it is a pain in the neck.<br /><br />This is where Roger spent his Thanksgiving day. Poor thing. You can tell he was a bit drugged up though, huh?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYVVZYkPXFkM4RlN581BkLePfTeVwqZ6D5mpMo2bKm1AInhG9vvecnsgtMrOpi6OgQBQpMzOfgmEZqm9SvsfP9Zz9MawQF0ckgeK3VwyuREVW0vvS5hGLbcTWMuVuIIzXP8V5zVnY0vYN/s1600-h/052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421967155964879698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYVVZYkPXFkM4RlN581BkLePfTeVwqZ6D5mpMo2bKm1AInhG9vvecnsgtMrOpi6OgQBQpMzOfgmEZqm9SvsfP9Zz9MawQF0ckgeK3VwyuREVW0vvS5hGLbcTWMuVuIIzXP8V5zVnY0vYN/s400/052.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Christopher went swimming, too. I was too chicken to go in the water so my Uncle John took him in. He was in heaven.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuxP-t6U_fiJfQj4iAZ-yY5Z1PphdMusxwb-BaRB6ANvmXotOx_9cTa4AQU4mHeAJaa06Mhen31k7VVVRtE6j1GyBhT2CUx3Ma9GHSoZaiYpELQAQRNvnY_SnS6trf0kLpmcJjY0popCL/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421966373738766514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuxP-t6U_fiJfQj4iAZ-yY5Z1PphdMusxwb-BaRB6ANvmXotOx_9cTa4AQU4mHeAJaa06Mhen31k7VVVRtE6j1GyBhT2CUx3Ma9GHSoZaiYpELQAQRNvnY_SnS6trf0kLpmcJjY0popCL/s400/018.JPG" /></a> Colin in the pool in Florida. He had a blast!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zRNiHC-rfwZtJm9dJGNZdHoL8siiUhJ9iRx2zWBMkd7QNyI4urfUREupLaWfq9MjzWHgFpItMEyyaDa9o9_9wzNzDmeW7t9NXdipR_3DuIxpay9FVd9deyJucHvWI26mcIbCnFJqVrL4/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421966087249291538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zRNiHC-rfwZtJm9dJGNZdHoL8siiUhJ9iRx2zWBMkd7QNyI4urfUREupLaWfq9MjzWHgFpItMEyyaDa9o9_9wzNzDmeW7t9NXdipR_3DuIxpay9FVd9deyJucHvWI26mcIbCnFJqVrL4/s400/016.JPG" /></a> Colin was the ring-bearer...he was so cute! He walked down the aisle with his hands in his pockets looking all GQ!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421964651402677970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWREM5foWnn6G-N0F4ruwKUB1LKWvl5c1xfA68ysPFsxY8hIhN-VLg9VKq0u4kOgsCXIVEYkWuH_ONdZdnifyQ-zo5MzuHp1sSbKVbcNjZ3rpNIXz8sZGT62AkjQGZjnQ27vk2BRN-fQLY/s400/007.JPG" />Christopher hanging with Aunt Alicia before we left to go downstairs to the wedding. Mr. Smiles.<br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421965623498786610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbJ1NgUkvMS5PPz_iAkVzL3GyM8m7R6D8BqTJh8ER-tiFOwSLN-W6g7vZjnygRCrvnI_znwbc0jIPPgroduD0IJ8rdL6Rk62-42eaDYmscE_f9D2pBoOrh3QtVgvPaKs35huQPakSzmFe/s400/012.JPG" /> This is Roger and I before the wedding...yep, we're hot!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwFJIMlWaNDKVHQN16O8_15PUQ1EEl5qh5EYgmfxqOUlScd_HGfFFL0UrYq5_BxW1kzCS6KPWLUabkrU3Nf-v8HPkxm3qKqvwid1iKivIaUmCX-oiBiyfT2uG8dYkhEf4UfAjKMiFnggx/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421963733892489634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwFJIMlWaNDKVHQN16O8_15PUQ1EEl5qh5EYgmfxqOUlScd_HGfFFL0UrYq5_BxW1kzCS6KPWLUabkrU3Nf-v8HPkxm3qKqvwid1iKivIaUmCX-oiBiyfT2uG8dYkhEf4UfAjKMiFnggx/s400/002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412679722733874272.post-23444761074087387682009-12-31T19:01:00.000-08:002009-12-31T19:54:59.182-08:00Yes, I still live......although I am not sure how I have survived the last 4 weeks somedays. It has been a terribly busy and stressful time at our house so blogging has taken a backseat. Not that bloggable stuff hasn't happened--it definitely has. It unfortunately has happened over and over and over again, while in the meantime not giving me any time to really get it all down. I will do it in list form so that I can get it out. I will not go into too much detail, but hopefully this will get me back on my blogging track. I hate that everyone is missing out on our family's lives. So here it is...4 weeks in a nutshell:<br /><br />1. We attended my cousin John's wedding in Longboat Key, FL the weekend before Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. We stayed the week of Thanksgiving in Holiday, FL at the newlywed couple's house while they were on their honeymoon. My other cousin Robert and his fiance Kayla live 2 doors down from the house and we got the pleasure of hanging out with them a lot. We took over their house in the morning because John and Mary didn't have a coffee pot! Poor things...and let's just say that they got more than a taste of what it was like to have children in the house!! We had a great time with them. My Aunt Nancy lives about 15 minutes away from their so we were lucky enough to get to spend some time with her and Bill, as well as Grandma and Uncle John and Toni (who were all in town for the wedding and Thanksgiving, too!). Robert and John's youngest brother, Stephen, was in town for the wedding on leave from the Army for the occasion. It was great to see him--we are all SO proud!<br /><br />While in Holiday, we were also very blessed that Roger's Aunt Doris lived literally about 2 blocks away from John and Robert! This allowed us the great pleasure of spending some time with Doris and I finally got to meet Roger's cousins, Spike, Tony, and Michael. I had heard a lot about these guys, but had never met them before. What a great group of people! We had such a good time and even got some adult time together with Tony and his girlfriend while Robert and Kayla took the boys for a few hours. We spent Thanksgiving dinner with them as well. Which leads me to number 2.<br /><br />2. "Hey Roger, do you want to play flag football tomorrow morning? I know some guys who are getting together." "Sure, sounds great." This conversation has come to haunt me. Roger did play flag football with Robert, and did well from what I understand. Unfortunately, I was not able to see him do well because on my way to the game with the boys (so that they could watch their daddy play football) I received this phone call. "I need you to bring me some ice. I hurt my knee." I said ok, and stopped at Starbucks to get coffee and a bag of ice while my brain was screaming "Oh, crap." Little did I know.<br /><br />We spent the day in the ER getting X-rays. Happy Thanksgiving. Roger had broken his tibial plateau (look it up, it's too much to explain on here) with displacement and fragments. Oh, lovely. Surgery here we come. We spent the evening at Doris' house for Thanksgiving with Roger staying in one place because he couldn't move. He was miserable, but trying to have a good time with his cousins that he hadn't seen in a while. When we got home, we had to prepare for the 10 hour return drive to SC so that we could try to plan for his surgery. It was a super long day and I won't go into details, but we were so glad to get home!<br /><br />3. ER visit number 2. Roger was losing feeling in his foot so we decided to get to the hospital and see if we could get it better taken care of and possibly get in with an orthopedic surgeon. Of course no one was going to operate on the holiday weekend, so we got a prescription to call the office Monday. Thanks for nothing. He had been broken for 5 days by the time we got to the doctor's office. They scheduled the surgery for Wednesday, he came home Thursday evening. No weight bearing for up to 12 weeks. Crutches and a wheel chair. Pain, pain, pain. The first day home was terrifying. My strong husband was struggling so much and it hurt me deeply to see it. Thank God my mother in law was here! She stayed through till the next Thursday morning and was a God sent Angel!<br /><br />4. I have discovered that when my life is out of control, that I obsessively clean my kitchen. I can't control Roger's pain, his recovery, or the stress that comes with that. I am stressed about the kids, it was Christmas, the dog is dying (more on that later, too), and the only one who can do anything is me. When my life feels crazy, I clean the kitchen. I never had the desire to clean the kitchen like I do now. But, I guess it's always clean, right? Now, if I don't keel over from the fumes of this obsessive cleaning, we will be in business.<br /><br />5. Justice and I have made several trips to the vet in the last couple of weeks. Each visit was sad and anticipatory of saying goodbye to him for the last time. He is still here, but we are on our last treatment option and we know that it's temporary. He made it through the holidays and we are just sort of waiting now. Please pray for us that the goodbye is painless for him (and us). It's hard on all of us.<br /><br />6. Last, but not least, I have a 4.5 year old and a 1.5 year old who both miss their daddy and for at least the first week seemed mad at Mommy because of it. They are adjusting to Daddy's boo-boo now, so we are getting better. We made it through Christmas (pictures to come, I promise) even though there were no Christmas cards this year. They will be super late, but will get there, so bear with me. They are growing like weeds and are both so funny. Colin is coming into his own and starting to enjoy learning to read. Nothing major yet, but it is so awesome to see his wheels turning. Christopher is at that hilarious age where the things he says are so funny either because he is repeating something that he has heard or just jibber jabbering to himself. His latest is if you ask him a question that he doesn't know that answer to, he replies "Ohhhh. Nutning." (Oh, nothing). He is always ready with a grin for you and you can't help but smile back. These boys, while driving me insane have the uncanny ability to keep me sane. It's the oddest thing. I love them so much and this has brought me to tears more than once in recent weeks!<br /><br />So that is it in a nutshell. I am sure there is more to tell and I will try to be better about sharing, but for now just know that I am doing my best here and sometimes it will make it into the blogosphere and sometimes it won't.<br /><br />Oh yeah...HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope that everyone has a very successful and fulfilling 2010!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06755951360702196680noreply@blogger.com0